Stop Circus Suffering

The science on suffering: Evidence presented to Parliament

ADI presented the report of the first in-depth study of the use of animals in circuses in 1998, at a House of Commons reception. Since that time, several further reports have been presented, all based upon empirical evidence – observations, videotapes, and photographs.

6. Evidence presented to Parliament

ADI presented the report of the first in-depth study of the use of animals in circuses in 1998, at a House of Commons reception. Since that time, several further reports have been presented, all based upon empirical evidence – observations, videotapes, and photographs. We have summarised the evidence we have presented, below.

Report & video: ‘The Ugliest Show on Earth’ (1998): From 1996 to 1998 undercover Field Officers from ADI worked in 13 UK travelling circuses and winter quarters and 5 foreign circuses using animals from the UK.

The study looked at accommodation, health, husbandry, physical and psychological effects on the animals, and the circus culture. Uniquely, this study was from the inside of this close-knit and secretive community – our Field Officers became circus workers.

This is the most detailed investigation into the use of animals in circuses to date – over 7,000 hours of observations backed up by 800 hours of videotape, and thousands of photographs. The report was launched at the House of Commons.

Over 200 MPs signed an Early Day Motion calling for a ban.

ADI has followed up with further studies in both the UK and Europe, publishing reports on the subject in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

An earlier study in 1989, had been restricted to observations when the circus workers were aware that they were being watched. (Kiley-Worthington, M. ‘Animals in Circuses’, 1989).

In both the ADI study and the earlier study, abnormal behaviour was observed in all species – indicative of poor welfare, environment, and husbandry.

Click here for a PDF of the report

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